PARLIAMENTARY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1931, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association j WELLINGTON, October 23. In llie Legislative Council yesterday tiie Companies Eli.powering Amendment Bill was oas.-eil. THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON, October 23. In the Mouse of Representatives Mr Ward introduced the Licensing Poll Postponement Amendment Bill. He said the object was to allow Invercargill to have a poll on the question ot local restoration at the same time iis the next general election was he'd. Under the present legislation no poll could be llqid until the general election following next. Mr Ward said while the National Poll on licensing issue had been postponed in the interests of national economy, no one had the right to deprive Invercargill people of the option of deciding whether theirs should be a licensed or no license area. Mr Forbes said the people of New Zealand generally bad accepted the postponement of the licensing poll as reasonable.

Mr' Langs tone expressed the opinion that proclaimed no license areas should he given the right to hold a poll. Ho asked Mr Ward whether he would bo prepared to amend the Bill to extend the privilege to other electorates, and to proclaimed areas. Mr Ward:—Yes! The Bill was read a first time Consideration of the Trading Coupons Bill was resumed in Committee. A division was taken on a clause providing that prosecutions could only be commenced with the consent of the Minister. The clause was retained by 45 to 20. Mr' Anscll moved to add a new clause aiming at prohibiting a description of subsidiary articles as free gilts, at the same time protecting one nary and customary trade discounts. Ho said the amendments would prevent the purpose of the Bill from being defeated. Restrictions on redemption of coupons would induce traders to develop gift schemes. The gift system was regarded as considerably more objectionable than the coupon system. The amendment was rejected by 38 to 28. The Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. In moving the committal of the Building Construction Bill, Mr Forbes said it was the outcome of investigations carried out by an expert eommitteee set up by the Government immediately after the Hawkes Bay earthquake, for the purpose of going into the question of building construction in the near future, so as to obviate such a loss of life as had occurred as a result of the earthquake. The debate was interrupted by the rising of the House at 10.30 p.m •